It's been chilly here in North Texas these past couple of days, so yesterday, I decided to make my chicken soup.  I boiled what was left over of my stuffed chicken and added some spices. I finely diced my celery, carrots, onions,  a pinch of sea salt, and a little fresh garlic; added my chicken broth in the water and turned on the burner. As I was adding my parsely, sage, rosemary and thyme, it brought to mind the Simon and Garfunkel song, "MacArthur Park". There I was in the middle of the kitchen, wooden spoon to my mouth, singing as if I were on stage in Central Park.  I'm not a bad singer, if I do say so myself; but back to the story.

While the stock boiled  and the aroma of great soup filled my home, I started taking a trip down memory lane.  I was back in my youth; in my Parent's home, preparing for our Thanksgiving feast.  The smell of fresh baked pies and breads wafting through the entire four story house.  We had an old Victorian type home where you had to walk up three flights of stairs to get to your bedroom.  We didn't have alot of money, but my upbringing taught me to enjoy the simple things in life: 

Like the smell of freshly baked bread, and sweets. 

Canning and freezing your own fruits and vegetables.

Listening to the chatter of children throughout the house.

The lilt of a baby's laughter.

The smell of a freshly bathed baby.

Mom's laugh when Dad would tease her.

MeMaw's perfume and hair cream.

Mammy's perfume

grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup on a rainy day.

The sound of the music coming from the Victrola (yes, my Dad had a wind up victrola).

Watching the Gimbel's Thanksgiving Day Parade (It's now the Boscov's/Channel 6 Thanksgiving Day Parade)

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on the other TV moved into the Dining Room.

The Holiday table with place settings for 50 people.  We started setting the table after the High School football games and parades were done and didn't finish till almost dinner time.

Watching as a family, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on the TV in the Living room.  Can you imagine 50 people all over the Living Room?  Bodies lying on the floor; on top of each other? 

Eating left overs for the next couple of days..and trust me with 10 kids, turkey and the trimmings don't last long!

Dropping Dad's favorite mince meat pie on the floor and trying to make another one before he came back home?  what a disaster that was!

Staying in bed on a cold, rainy day listening to the rain beat against your window pane.

Snuggling....anytime!

Slipping into your favorite yet torn, beat, and tattered sweatsuit, curling up and listening to music (reading a good book, or just chillin')

The smell of freshly laundered sheets that were hung out on the wash line to dry (even better, on a crisp fall day!)

the smell of rain, snow.

the thunderous silence of snow.

waking up to see a fresh blanket of snow on the ground...no snow plows yet, either!

the kiss of a loved one!

A child's hug!

Well, the soup finally was done, I added my noodles, sat down on the sofa, and enjoyed one of Life's Simple Pleasures.

Enjoy your day!  Cheryl